A Series of Interaction of the Policy Research Institute with legislators, bureaucrats, and intellectuals on Legislative Procedures in Provincial Assemblies in all seven provinces

March 7, 2024

29 January – 7 March, 2024

Location: Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, Butwal, Dang, Dhangadhi, Birendranagar, Syangja, and Pokhara

The Policy Research Institute recently held a discussion program in Bagmati, Koshi, Madesh, Lumbini, Sudhurpaschim, Karnali, and Gandaki provinces, focusing on the legislative functions of the provincial legislature. Typically, in the discussions, Dr. Mukti Ram Rijal, a Senior Research Fellow at the institute, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the main objectives and the theme of the research. Similarly, Mr. Krishna Prasad Sapkota, a former member of the Constituent Assembly, led the conversation, with Ashok Pandey, an Associate Research Fellow at the institute, and Mr. Purushottam Nepal, a consultant at the institute, taking notes. Meanwhile, Mr. Kanchan Gautam and Mr. Kushal Thapaliya, a research intern at the institute, assisted with program management.

During the interaction program, various stakeholders from the Provincial Assembly, including the Speaker, the Committee Chairman, Members, the Secretary of the Provincial Assembly, and other senior officials, including the Chief Secretary of the Provincial Government, Secretaries of the respective ministries, representatives of local associations, professors, civil society members, local intellectuals, and target groups from the province took part in the deliberation. The discussion focused on the current state of performance of Legislative Assembly achievement, problems, challenges, and possible remedies and way-outs to overcome those challenges during the law-making process.

The key points of discussion revolved around the provincial legislature’s pre-legislative, legislative, and post-legislative functions. Participants highlighted the need for the federal government to support the effectiveness of provincial legislative work by providing resources and manpower, organizing capacity development training for assembly members, involving stakeholders in the legislative process, and issues regarding intergovernmental coordination. Concerns were also raised about duplication of activities leading to decreased effectiveness and wastage of resources. 

Participants

  1. Koshi Province

a. Discussion with Koshi Province Assembly Secretaries (Feb 11, 2024)
• Gautam Raj Amatya, Deputy Secretary, (Acting Secretary), Parliament Secretariat
• Bhawani Ghimire, Secretary of the Public Accounts Committee
• Sarita Pokharel, Secretary of Governance and Planning Committee
• Ram Prasad Chapagai, Secretary, Social Committee
• Dilli Prasad Acharya, Law Officer
• Bhanu Guragari, Account Officer
• Anju Karki, Law Officer
• Chandrakala Mishra, Nursing officer
• Niroj Dhakal, Section Officer

b. Discussion with Honorable Members of the Provincial Assembly members (February 11, 2024)

• Hon. Kishore Chandra Dulal, Chair, Public Accounts Committee as Senior Member.
• Hon. Shilaji Karki, Chair, Legislative Committee
• Hon. Ram Prasad Mehta, Chair, Natural Resources Committee as Senior Member
• Hon. Gopal Bahadur Vishwakarma, Chair, Industry Tourism, Forest Environment Committee• Hon. Malati Kumale Limbu, Chair, Good Governance Planning Committee
• Hon. Rohit Bahadur Karki, Chair, Finance Committee

c. Discussions with the secretaries of the province government (February 12, 2024)
• Badrikumar Karki, Secretary to Chief Minister and Cabinet Secretariat
• Vishal Ghimire, Secretary Ministry of Tourism
• Khagendra Khadka, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning,
• Dr. Sudha Devkota, Ministry of Health
• Lilabalav Ghimire, Advisor to Hon. Chief Minister
• Kedarnath Sharma, Acting Chief Secretary, Koshi Pradesh

d. Discussions with intellectuals (February 12, 2024)
• Prof. Dr. Krishna Pokharel
• Prof. Dr. Vesh Prasad Dhamala
• Mr. Manjita Upadhyay
• Mr. Bishnu Sharma
• Mr. Somraj Thapa
• Nishant Dhungana
• Prof. Pramod Kumar Jha
• Niroj Dhakal

  • Madesh Province:

a. Attendees in a discussion with the Speaker (February 13, 2024)

Ramchandra Mandal, Speaker
• Himal Thapa, Computer Operator
• Mahendra Yadav, Office Assistant
• Lakshmi Mandal, Computer Operator
• Sunita Mandal, Office Assistant

b. Interaction program with Honorable Provincial Assembly members (February 13, 2024)
• Hon. MP Shri Rambabu Yadav, LOSPA
• Hon. MP Shri Kanchan Viksha, RPP
• Hon. MP Shri Kumarakant Jha, NECA Whip
• Hon. Member of Parliament Mr. Anjana Pandit, NC,
• Hon. MP Shri Ramita Pradhan, LOSPA
• Hon. MP Shri Sanjay Kumar Mahato, NC
• Hon. MP Shri Sarada Pahadi, Dhanusha, Maoist
• Hon. Member of Parliament Shri Anita Kumari Jha, LOSPA
• Hon. Member of Parliament Mr. Rupa Yadav, Janmat Party
• Hon. Member of Parliament Mr. Ranisharma Tiwari
• Manoj Giri, Secretary, State Assembly

c. Participated in the interaction program with the Provincial Government Secretary (February 14, 2024)
• Nirkumar Bika, Law Officer, Ministry of Physical and Infrastructure Development
• Amarchandra Mandal, Agriculture Officer, Madesh Pradesh

d. Interaction with State Assembly staff (February 13, 2024)
• Lakshmi Kumari Mandal, Computer Operator, Madesh Pradesh Assembly Secretariat
• Pinky Kumari Mandal, Library Assistant, Madesh Pradesh Sabha Secretariat
• Kalpana Kumari Karna, Assistant Section Officer, Madesh State Assembly Secretariat
• Avinash Kumar Karna, Section Officer, Madesh Pradesh Assembly Secretariat
• Santosh Kumar Shah, Computer Operator, Madesh Pradesh Assembly Secretariat
• Janki Prasad Sah, Section Officer, Madesh Pradesh Assembly Secretariat
• Deepak Kumar Mandal, Computer Operator, Madesh Pradesh Assembly Secretariat
• Nandakumar Mandal, Computer Operator, Madesh Pradesh Assembly Secretariat
• Dipendra Kumar Yadav, Officer, Madesh Pradesh Assembly Secretariat

e. Participating in the discussion with the municipality head and representatives (February 13, 2024)
• Pradeep Kumar Yadav, Nagar Chief, Hanspur Municipality Dhanusha
• Durga Devi Mandal, Deputy Chief, Hanspur Municipality Dhanusha
• Umesh Mahato, Employee, Hanspur Municipality Dhanusha

f. Participating in discussions with intellectuals (February 14, 2024)
Sudha Karna
• Manoj Kumar Giri
• Bitu Srivastava
• Ram Dular Paswan
• Deepak Kumar Pandey
• Ashok Kumar Yadav
• Vishnu Kunwar President
• Shyam Sundar Singh
• Jawaharlal Yadav

  • Bagmati Province

a. Interaction program with Honorable Provincial Assembly members (January 29, 2024)

  • Hon. Speaker Mr. Bhuwan Kumar Pathak, Bagmati Pradesh Assembly
  • Hon. Madhusudan Paudel, Chief Whip, NCP UML
  • Hon. Ekalal Shrestha, CPN UML
  • Hon. Laxmidevi Shrestha, Nepali Congress,
  • Hon. Gita Gurung, Agricultural Health Committee, Nepali Congress
  • Hon. Prem Bahadur Pulami, Maoist
  • Hon. Thakur Prasad Dhakal, CPN Maoist

b. Employees at Province Assembly (January 29, 2024)

  • Poorna Bahadur Darzi
  • Ripesh Dahal
  • Ganga Lamichhane
  • Krishnahari Khadka,
  • Manuka Ghimire
  • Sundar Baskota
  • Umesh Thapa
  • Hima Neupane

c. Discussion with secretaries (January 30, 2024)

  • Nischal Raj Pandey, Secretary, Chief Minister, and Cabinet Office
  • Prakashraj Dahal, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning
  • Harisharan Pudasaini, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism
  • Rajendra Kumar KC, Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies
  • Purna Bahadur Darzi, Secretary, Provincial Assembly Office, Bagmati Province
  • Dhruv Gaida, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Law
  • Indradev Bhatt, Secretary, Water, Ministry of Power and Irrigation
  • Nar Bahadur Thapa, Vice Chairman, State Planning Commission,
  • Rajendra Koirala, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
  • Sujan Bhandari, Ministry of Infrastructure Development
  • Gyan Bahadur
  • Khupiram Adhikari
  • Hari Upadhyay, Chief Accounts Controller, Office of Province Controller of Accounts
  • Ripesh Dahal, Provincial Assembly Secretariat

d. Discussions with citizen groups (January 30, 2024)

  • Asmi Lamichhane
  • Dr. Ramachandra Sapkota
  • Sabina Tamang
  • Ram Bista
  • Suresh Shrestha
  • Kishore Dahal
  • Arati Pathak
  • Lumbini Province:

a. Interaction program with Honorable Provincial Assembly members (February 24, 2024)

  • Hon. Speaker Tularam Gharti
  • Hon. Member Bhoj Prasad Shrestha
  • Hon. Member Nima Giri
  • Hon. Member Dilkumari Budha
  • Hon. Member Vishwa Prem Pathak
  • Hon. Member Khadak Basnet
  • Hon. Member Yam Bahadur Nepali
  • Hon. Member Dipendra Kumar Pun Magar
  • Hon. Member Rajkumar Chaudhary
  • Hon. Member Ramji Prasad Ghimire
  • Hon. Member Raju Prasad Shrestha
  • Hon. Member Shusila Devi Wadi
  • Hon. Member Meena Shrestha
  • Hon. Member Khem Saru

b. Committee Secretaries of Lumbini Pradesh Assembly Secretariat (February 25, 2024)

  • Durbhu Kumar Pun, Secretary Lumbini Pradesh Assembly
  • Ishwari Prasad Acharya, Deputy Secretary, State Assembly Secretariat
  • Radha Roka, Law Officer, Agriculture Committee
  • Giriraj Sharma, Branch Officer, Social Committee
  • Khim Bahadur Subedi, Accounts Officer, Public Accounts Committee
  • Remembrance Subedi, Officer, Finance, Industry and Tourism Committee

c. Discussion Program with Civil Society of Lumbini Province, Indreni Cultural Centre, Ujirsih Nagar, Butwal (February 25, 2024)

  • Usha Kiran Panth, Global Media,
  • Manu Khadka, Member Indreni
  • Pradeep Shakya, Member Indreni
  • Bishnu Gautam, Member Indreni
  • Chanakya Adhikari, Tilottama Napa, Member Indreni
  • Jeevan Bhushal, Integrated Healthcare, Member Indreni
  • Bhawani Prasad Pandey, Journalist
  • Dharmaraj Ghimire, State President of Gasus Mahasangha, Lumbini
  • Mahendra Pandey, Legal Practitioner, Chairman, Indreni
  • Radha Adhikari, Member Indreni
  • Amrita Anmol, journalist and presenter
  • Savitra Ghimire, Representative of Persons with Disabilities, Member Indreni

d. Discussion program with Chief Secretary of Lumbini Province and Secretaries of Ministries (February 26, 2024)

  • Chief Secretary Shri Radhika Aryal, Lumbini Province Government
  • Nimitta Secretary Shri Thaneshwar Gyawali, Lumbini Province Government
  • Secretary Mr. Sunil Paudel, Ministry of Physical Planning
  • Secretary Shri Lalbabu Kabari, Ministry of Home Affairs
  • Secretary Shri Yamnarayan Devkota, Planning Commission
  • Secretary Mr. Nirajan Ghimire, Chief Minister’s Office
  • Secretary Mr. Rajendra Bhandari, Ministry of Urban Development
  • Secretary Mr. Kedar Sharma, Ministry of Finance
  • Secretary Mr. Mohanraj Kafle, Ministry of Forests and Environment
  • Secretary Shri Namrata Singh, Ministry of Agriculture
  • Secretary Mr. Dr. Janardhan Panthi, Ministry of Health
  • Mr. Prakash Bista, President of Rapti Rural Municipality
  • Tul Bahadur Kanwar, Communication Coordinator, Rapti Rural Municipality
  • Sudhurpaschim Pradesh

a. Interaction program with Honorable Provincial Assembly members (February 29, 2024)

• Hon.: Vikram Singh Dhami, Nepali Congress, Chief Whip
• Hon.: Janaki Air Bomb, CPN UML
• Hon.: Lakshmi Bika, CPN-Maoist
• Hon.: Gita Chaudhary, Nepali Congress
• Hon.: Santosh Sharma Thapa, CPN-UML
• Hon: Maya Pant, Integrated Socialist
• Hon.: Nirmala Sawad, CPN-UML
• Hon.: Akkal Bahadur Rawal, CPN-Maoist,
• Hon.: Ghanshyam Chaudhary, Civil Liberation Party
• Hon: Indira Giri, Civil Liberties Party
• Hon.: Dharmaraj Pathak, CPN UML
• Hon.: Meghraj Khadka, Nepali Congress
• Hon.: Tara Joshi, Independent MP, Dadeldhura
• Hon.: Veer Bahadur Thapa, Chairman, Public Accounts Committee
• Hon.: Akkal Bahadur Rawal, Deputy Leader Parliamentary Party
• Hon.: Maan Bahadur Rawal
• Hon.: Prakash Rawal
• State Assembly Secretary Mr. Devavahadur Bogati

b. Discussions with the Secretary of the Provincial Assembly the Secretaries of the Committee and other employees (February 29, 2024)

• Dev Bahadur Bogti, Secretary of the State Assembly
• Tirtharaj Joshi, Deputy Secretary
• Tejprakash Joshi, Accounts Officer
• Prem Kattel, Computer Officer
• Yuvraj Jaisi, Officer, State Assembly Secretariate

c. Discussion program with the secretaries of the government of Sudhurpaschim Province (February 29, 2024)

  • Dr. Shri Hariprasad Lamsal, Chief Secretary
  • Dr. Anupraj Sharma, Vice Chairman, State Planning Commission
  • Mr. Madan Singh Dhami, Secretary, Sudhurpaschim Pradesh
  • Sritikaram Thapa, Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Administration
  • Mr. Jeevanath Paudel, Secretary, Ministry of Forest Industry and Environment
  • Mr. Hiralal Chaudhary, Secretary, Sudhurpaschim Pradesh
  • Mr. Dhanlal Rokka, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs
  • Mr. Ganga Bahadur Kharel, Secretary, Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers

d. Discussions with local government chiefs, deputy chiefs and local level unions, Federation’s Sudurpaschim Committee (March 01, 2024)

  • Karna Singh Saud, Shibanath Rural Municipality, Baitadi
  • Ambika Chaane, Panchdebel Municipality, Achham
  • Harisingh Dhami, Sigas Rural Municipality, Baitadi
  • Padam Bahadur Bohora, Mangalsen
  • Lokendra Shahi, Kai Singh, Acham,
  • Rajendra Bahadur Kunwar, SAAPI Municipality, Achham
  • Bharat Bahadur Rokaya, Swami Karthik Rural Municipality, Bajura
  • Gobind Bahadur Mall, Himali Rural Municipality, Bajura
  • Prakash Bahadur Saud, Dhakari Rural Municipality, Achham
  • Umesh Prasad Bhatt, Secretary, Rural Municipality Mahasandh, Ajaymeru Gap, Dadeldhura
  • Dilli Ram Ojha, Nepal Municipality Association, Sudurpaschim,
  • Jhankar Bahadur Kumbar, Advocate
  • Rajendra Pyakurel, Nepal Rural Municipality Federation
  • Karnali Attendance:

a. Discussion with Karnali Pradesh Assembly staff (March 03, 2024)

  • Jivraj Budhathoki, Secretary of State Assembly, Karnali State Assembly
  • Rajendra Paudel, Computer Officer, Administration Branch, Secretary, Social Development Committee
  • Lakshmi Kumari Rana, Administrative Officer, Secretary Finance and Natural Resources Committee
  • Madan Khadka, Law Officer, Bills Branch, Provincial Affairs Committee
  • Upendra Gurung, Officer Sixth, Secretary, Public Accounts Committee,
  • Sita Kandel, Administrative Officer, Secretariat, Public Accounts Committee,
  • Lok Prasad Dhakal, Assistant 4th, Public Accounts Committee
  • Prakash Poudel, Computer Operator, Assistant Staff
  • Kamal BC, Electrician, Assistant Staff
  • Santosh Gautam, Record Officer

b. Discussion with members of civil society of Karnali province (March 03, 2024)

  • Prakash Saru
  • Matrika Prasad Khanal
  • Pitambar Dhakal
  • Mangaraj Poudel
  • Ved Prasad Dhakal
  • Ganesh Kanchan Bharti
  • Bhawani Raut Chhetri
  • Rajendra Poudel
  • Madan Khadka
  • Kamala Tiwari
  • Suryamani Gotam
  • Amit Rizal
  • Narayan Prasad Bhattarai
  • Yamuna Sapkota

c. Discussion with the secretaries of the Ministries of Karnali Province (March 04, 2024)

• Chief Secretary Mr. Chudamani Poudel
• Secretary Mr. Anand Saru, Secretary
• Shri Lok Prasad Neupane, Public Service Commission
• Ramesh Subedi CDI, Ministry of Strategic Planning
• Needhiraj Neupane, MoTAL
• Gopal Sharma, MoWREO
• Kamal Prasad Koirala, Advocate General
• Narahari Prasad Ghimire, Ministry of Agriculture
• Ramesh Prasad Neupane, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning
• Shankar KC, Law Secretary Office of the Chief Minister and Cabinet
• Sher Bahadur Shrestha, Ministry of Land and Water Resources, Ministry of Tourism Forestry and Environment


d. Discussion with the chief deputy heads of the local level (March 04, 2024)

• Bharat Prasad Rizal, Chief Dullu Municipality, Dailekh
• Rita Kumari Shahi, Bhairavi Rural Municipality, Dailekh
• Manju Kumari Pandey, Executive President, Mahabu Rural Municipality, Dailekh
• Udayraj Upadhyay, Chief Administrative Officer, Mahabu Rural Municipality, Dailekh
• Khum Bahadur Thapa, Social Development Officer, Narayan Municipality, Dailekh
• Tulsi Prasad Upadhyay, Planning Officer, Dullu Municipality, Dailekh
• Mohan Bahadur Thapa, Accounts Officer, Narayan Municipality, Dailekh

e. Discussion with Honorable Members of the Provincial Assembly (March 03, 2024)

• Hon. MP Mr. Ransingh Pariyar, CPN-Maoist, Humla
• Hon. MP Shri Dakshina Shahi, CPN-UML, Kalikot

  • Gandaki Province

a. Discussion program with secretaries of Gandaki province (March 06, 2024)

• Laxmikumari Basnet, Principal Secretary, Office of the Chief Minister, and Council of Ministers
• Tirthaprasad Bhattarai, Secretary, Gandaki Province
• Balram Rizal, Secretary, Economic Affairs
• Ganesh Raj Wosti, Ministry of Housing, Power, Water Resources and Drinking Water
• Kamansingh Gurung, Industry Tourism, Forestry and Environment
• Dr. Tank Prasad Prasarai, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Management
• Pravin Dhakal, Deputy Secretary Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
• Janki Devi Sharma, Branch Officer, Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
• Rajan Bhattarai, Deputy Secretary, Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
• Dilliram Sigdel, Secretary Policy and Planning Commission
• Chandika Poudel, Ministry of Social Development and Health
• Mahendra Kumar Rai, Accounts Officer, Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers

b. Discussion with Civil Society of Gandaki Province (March 07, 2024)

• Advocate Mr. Bishnu Prasad Sharma, President, Gandaki Pradesh High Court Bar
• Advocate Mr. Vedanath Bhandari, Siddhi Vinayak Law Firm, Member, Gandaki Pradesh High Court Bar
• Advocate Shri Kapilmuni Dahal, Member, Gandaki Pradesh High Court Bar
• Advocate Shri Dayaram Gautam, Member, Gandaki Pradesh High Court Bar
• Advocate Shri Shivraj Wagle, Member, Gandaki Pradesh High Court Bar
• Shri Navraj Devkota, Vice Chancellor, Gandaki University
• Mr. Bishnu Prasad Dhakal, President, Citizens Forum Gandaki
• Mr. Prem Sherma, Member Citizen Forum Gandaki
• Mr. Bishnu Prasad Lamichhane, Chairman of Legislative Committee
• Mr. Bharat Koirala, Editor, Adrasamaj Daily
• Mr. Sudan Regmi, Pokhara Study Research
• Mr. Gopal Khadka, Gases, Mahasangh, Gandakinak
• Mr. Gokarna Karki, Vice President, Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Mr. Vimala Bhandari, Nepal Journalist Association District President, Kaski
• Mr. Parashuram Sharma, Nepal Television Province Reporter


c. Discussion program with honorable members of Gandaki Pradesh Sabha, Gandaki Pradesh Sabha (March 07, 2024)

• Hon. Mr. Sudhir Poudel, Chairman Public Accounts Committee
• Hon. Shri Gobind Nepali, Chief Whip CPN UML
• Hon. Shri Kushum Budhamgar, Chief Whip, CPN-Maoist
• Hon. Mr. Phanindra Devkota, Chairman Development and Agriculture Committee
• Hon. Mr. Champa Devi Khadka, Chairman, Provincial Affairs and Law Committee
• Prem Subedi, Deputy Secretary Provincial Assembly Secretariat
• Tank Prasad Wagle, Officer
• Viskumar Rokamagar, Officer
• Indu Devi Neupane, Under Secretary, Law

d. Discussion with Staff from the Province Assembly (March 06, 2024)

• Giriraj Pokharel, Provincial Assembly Secretary
• Shri Prem Subedi, Deputy Secretary
• Indudevi Neupane, Deputy Secretary Law

Policy Research Institute Team

  • Dr. Mukti Ram Rijal (Senior Research Fellow)
  • Ashok Pandey (Associate Research Fellow)
  • Ram Krishna Sapkota (Consultant)
  • Purushottam Nepal (Consultant)
  • Kanchan Gautam (Intern)
  • Kushal Thapaliya (Intern)
  • Padam Bahadur Jirel (Driver)